Teacher's Guide to Peer Tutoring

A successful peer tutoring program in special education classrooms depends on teachers recruiting dedicated and dependable students who have positive attitudes and the desire to help others. Once peer tutors are selected, teachers must then provide training, monitor progress, manage schedules, address challenges, and evaluate the peer tutors' efforts. This guide together with the Peer Tutor Student Handbook (purchased separately) are designed to help teachers develop and maintain a successful and mutually rewarding peer tutor program. "I had the pleasure of observing the Peer Tutoring program developed by Dr. Styer and Suzanne Fitzgerald. This is an amazing program that promotes awareness of individuals with disabilities as well as provides peers the skills needed to support and develop friendships. The way this program is structured allows for these skills to generalize across the school environment and models friendships and the acceptance of others." Dr. Nicole Bain, Psychologist and Autism Expert Together, Candice and Suzanne have over 40 years of teaching experience in special education and have developed peer tutor programs in every classroom they've worked in. Their peer tutoring model of reverse inclusion maximizes peer interaction in natural and appropriate ways. They were inspired to share their experiences recruiting and training peer tutors knowing the positive effects that these programs have on both special education students and the general education students who work as peer tutors. "I became a peer tutor because I want to be a special education teacher when I grow up. My favorite part of the job was getting to know the kids. Having this experience made me grow as a person." Chrissy, Peer Tutor This manual contains a teacher's copy of the Peer Tutor Student Handbook, a companion book available for purchase for each peer tutor. The Teacher's Guide to Peer Tutoring belongs to Styer-Fitzgerald Publishing's line of outstanding educational products, including the Styer-Fitzgerald Program for Functional Academics. Unique among special education curricula, the Styer-Fitzgerald Program provides a comprehensive approach to teaching functional skills to students with mild, moderate, and severe disabilities, including autism. For more information about the entire line of Styer-Fitzgerald products, visit the website at www.styer-fitzgerald.com.